If you employ or plan to employ non EU nationals, you’ll be affected by the Home Office’s recent and substantive changes to UK immigration laws. The biggest change is the introduction of a five-tier points-based system, similar to that used in Australia. As part of this system, employers need to register as “sponsors” before they can employ non-EU nationals. Employers who breach the rules could find themselves hit with tough new civil and criminal penalties including a £10,000 fine or imprisonment.

Paragon Law’s immigration specialists ran a recent seminar explaining the new system and highlighting how it affects you as an employer – and the steps you need to take to become compliant.

Click here for a copy of the slides:

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The role of women in British and Malaysian societies will be examined at the third annual Paragon Human Rights Lecture taking place at The University of Nottingham’s Kuala Lumpur campus on 12 May.

The high profile lecture is organised jointly by immigration specialists Paragon Law and the University of Nottingham’s Human Rights Law Centre. The University has secured two high calibre speakers in Shanthi Dairam, Director of International Human Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific, and Vanessa Munro, Professor of Socio-Legal Studies at The University of Nottingham.

Michael O’Flaherty, co-director of the Human Rights Law Centre and a member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee said:

"We are delighted that the annual Paragon Human Rights Lecture is taking place in Malaysia this year. This event will make an important contribution to dialogue between UK and Malaysia-based human rights experts as well as strengthening links between the two campuses of the University.  The topic is particularly timely, with both countries seeking to learn from each other in highlighting and promoting the role of women in society.  

Kirin Abbas, Director of Paragon Law commented:

“Paragon Law has a very good relationship with both the universities in Nottingham and we are very proud to be working with the University of Nottingham to co-host the third Paragon Human Rights Law lecture in Malaysia.

“Paragon has been at the forefront of developing domestic and international law concerning the human rights of women.  For example, we were involved in a House of Lords case where it was established that rape and sexual violence can be held as a weapon of war, and that the effect of this upon women should be considered under the Refugee Convention.

Ms Abbas added:

“Paragon Law also represents a number of young women who have been trafficked into the UK for prostitution. In a society where legislation on this issue primarily punishes the trafficker, the victim is given little protection by the law.  Paragon Law aims to fight for the rights of these highly vulnerable women and protect their interests. 

Ms Abbas commented that dealing with these young women can be challenging but extremely rewarding. She quoted Johnetta Cole who once said “Educate a man and you educate an individual.  Educate a woman and you educate a whole family”, and added:

“This is true of not only a family but also an economy.  In a global economy where there is a shortage of skilled individuals, the successful economies will be those that have a good supply of skilled people.  It is not in the interest of a country to ignore one half of the population - those economies that are successful on a global scale encourage women to train and be involved in the work force”.

Thalej Vasishta, founder and director of Paragon Law concludes:

“We have established some very good relationships in Malaysia.  We recently hosted lunches for the Chief Justice of Malaysia and the Minister for Arts and Culture when they were visiting Nottingham.  It is important to Paragon that we continue to maintain these relationships and in particular to enhance the very good relationship that we have with the University of Nottingham.”

Paragon Law is also hosting a seminar on 14 May at the University of Nottingham in Kuala Lumpur to provide Malaysian entrepreneurs and business people with up to date information on the legal requirements for coming to the UK to invest, set up in business or study.

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Wednesday, 14th May 2008 – University of Nottingham, Kuala Lumpur

Paragon Law has teamed up with fellow Midlands law firm, Freeth Cartwright, to deliver a seminar to Malaysian businesses considering investing in or setting up in business in the UK.

The seminar is being kindly hosted by The University of Nottingham, 2nd Floor Chulan Tower, No3 Jalan Conlay, 50450 Kuala Lumpur and will cover:

AN IMMIGRATION REVOLUTION

The UK immigration rules have been overhauled. This seminar will explain the new system and identify what you need to do in order to:

• Set up in business in the UK
• Send your senior employees to the UK to set up subsidiary or branch offices of your overseas operations
• Comply with the new rules concerning working in the UK
• Understand the requirements for coming to the UK as an investor
• Send your children to the UK to study and understand their entitlement to work once their studies are finished.

THE PRACTICALITIES OF SETTING UP A BUSINESS OR SUBSIDIARY IN THE UK

• Different business structures
• What is right for you?
• What do you need to do?
• Managing your UK subsidiary

INVESTING IN UK REAL ESTATE

• The market – key players and their roles, sectors: industrial, leisure, office, retail, residential, healthcare, hotels and leisure parks
• How the commercial property market works – ownership and leases, transaction processes and valuations
• What are your options - direct or indirect investment?
• What you need to know about key risks

Email julie.scheller@freethcartwright.co.uk to find out more or to book a place.

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Following a recent trade delegation to Nigeria, Thalej Vasishta of Nottingham immigration specialists Paragon Law has made a commitment to launching in Nigeria, and is encouraging other businesses to seriously consider it as a place to invest or do business.

Paragon Law formed part of a recent trade delegation to Nigeria led by National Law Society President Andrew Holroyd.

Mr Vasishta commented: “GDP in Nigeria is currently 9 percent and rising. The country has the second largest gas reserves and a population of 140 million, of which 50 percent are under the age of 18. A recent Goldman Sachs report has predicted that Nigeria will be the 20th largest economy by 2025.

“Business between Britain and Nigeria continues to grow apace. In 2007, total exports to Nigeria increased by 22 percent, passing the £1 billion milestone for the first time. It was apparent from our meetings with business people and lawyers in Nigeria that there is a growing appetite for cars, white goods, property, quality education, travel and entertainment.” 

Paragon Law has acted for a number of Nigerian businessmen who have successfully entered the United Kingdom as investors and the firm is of the view that this type of inward investment will increase. 

Mr Vasishta added: “Being part of the Law Society delegation to Nigeria has helped us to establish contact with some of Nigeria’s leading law firms.  Moreover, we have also recruited our first Nigerian lawyer for whom preparations are now being made to come to the United Kingdom to receive training at our Nottingham office before she returns back to Nigeria to head up our operations there.  We are also being assisted by Peter Stephenson who is Director of Trade and Investment at the British High Commission in Lagos and, coincidently, originally from Nottingham.

“Paragon Law has a very strong international focus with established and successful operations in India and, more recently, a formal association with Orlando and Miami based US firm Nejame & Partners. We are optimistic that our developing relationships in the Nigerian market will ensure this latest venture will be equally successful.”

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Notes to editors

For more information about Paragon Law, please contact Thalej Vasishta, Managing Director, Paragon Law, T: 0115 9644117, e: thalejv@paragonlaw.co.uk.

Paragon Law was founded in 2003 by its managing director Thalej Vasishta and now employs over 40 people at its offices in Nottingham and India (Punjab). The firm has a formal association with US firm Nejame & Partners that has offices in Orlando and Miami (USA).

Paragon Law provides specialist immigration advice to individuals and businesses, both in the UK and overseas, and acts for blue chip companies, with client’s being represented from a range of sectors and includes small to medium sized enterprises.  With 18 specialist lawyers in the area of Immigration Law the team is regarded as one of the largest in the UK and this national award winning firm is also recommended by the Chambers Directory to the legal profession.

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In this article, Thalej Vasishta, Managing Director and Corporate Immigration Law Specialist at Nottingham Solicitors Paragon Law, summarises the main changes being introduced by the Home Office in 2008 to the rules governing the employment of non EU Nationals.

2008 will be a year of significant changes to the UK’s immigration laws.  The biggest change is the introduction of a five tier points-based system, which will replace the 80 different immigration routes currently available to people wishing to work or study in the UK.  The first of these five tiers, Tier 1 (General) will be launched on 29 February 2008 for those wishing to make applications in the UK.  Tier 1 (General) replaces the current Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.  Tier 1 will be introduced worldwide in the second quarter of 2008, with India adopting it from 1 April.
The other tiers are:

• Tier 2: Skilled Workers
• Tier 3: Low Skilled
• Tier 4: Students
• Tier 5: Temporary Workers and Youth Mobility

Tier 2 (Skilled Workers) will replace the existing work permit scheme and will be introduced at the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2008. Tier 4 (Students) will be introduced in 2009 and the Home Office has not yet set any dates for the introduction of Tiers 3 and 5. 

The new points-based system will have a significant impact on employers because, with the exception of Tier 1, all applicants will need to be sponsored by a licensed sponsor. 

This means that all employers who wish to employ foreign nationals will need to register as licensed sponsors before the introduction of Tier 2 in October 2008.  Employers will be able to register from 29 February 2008, to allow procedures to bed in before Tier 2 becomes operational. 

Sponsors will be classified into one of two ratings, ‘A’ or ‘B’.  The ‘B’ rating will be given if the Border & Immigration Agency deems that an employer poses greater risks. Employers with clear and well documented HR procedures and records are more likely to receive the favourable “A” classification,.  Employers with 50 or more employees will be charged a registration fees of £1000. This reduces to £400 for charities and businesses employing less than 50 people. Once licensed, employers will be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to the prospective employee. 
The registration process for sponsorship brings greater obligations and penalties for employers. Employers will have to maintain records of all foreign nationals that they sponsor. Employers will also be required to report to the Border & Immigration Agency any breaches by the foreign national of his immigration status, such as failure to turn up to work on the first day or absence from work for more than 10 days without permission.

The Border & Immigration Agency will have the power to check without notice sponsoring employers’ compliance of procedures both before and after registration. If a sponsor is deemed non-compliant they may be downgraded from an ‘A’ to ‘B’ rating or have their license withdrawn.

In addition to the sponsorship obligations, civil penalties will also come into force from 29 February 2008.  Employers who negligently hire illegal workers could face a maximum fine of £10,000 for each illegal worker.  Employers who are found to have knowingly hired illegal workers may be prosecuted and incur an unlimited fine and imprisonment. 

Paragon Law will be carrying out a series of training courses and seminars for employers and HR professionals on the new changes.  If you would like to attend please contact Donna-Marie Tuck at donna-mariet@paragonlaw.co.uk.

Specialist Nottingham immigration firm, Paragon Law, has become the first Nottingham law firm to offer US immigration advice to UK businesses, with the creation of a formal association with Miami and Orlando based law firm, Nejame & Partners.

Thalej Vasishta, Managing Director of Paragon Law commented:

“We have seen a significant increase in enquiries about US immigration from both individuals and businesses, quite possibly as a consequence of the weak dollar and more recently a sharp fall in property prices in the US market which makes it an attractive place to retire or invest”. Mr Vasishta added: “Nejame & Partners were well known to me through family connections in the USA and our association gives Paragon Law a presence in the US market and US market and, through Nejame & Partners, means we can meet the growing demand from individuals or businesses wishing to locate to the USA”.

”The real benefit to our clients is that the relationship will remain with one of the solicitors in Nottingham who will act as the main point of contact and ensure that momentum is kept throughout the whole case”.

In order to enhance the service they provide, the transatlantic partners are installing state of the art video conferencing facilities so that face to face meetings can take place between clients and lawyers either in the USA or UK.

Mark Nejame commented “It was important for us to seek an association with the right firm in the UK. We are aware that Paragon Law has developed an enviable reputation in their area of practice in the UK and, unlike other immigration practices, seem to have balanced acting for individuals as well as being the preferred choice as counsel to large corporations in the UK. We are very similar and therefore with this similarity will come a good understanding which will ultimately benefit our mutual clients”.

Mark Nejame was recently included in the top 50 most influential individuals in Orlando in a list compiled by the Orlando Weekly. Other members of his immigration team include lead lawyer Dan Vera, who was formally the INS Lead Attorney and whose cases have included reuniting Elion Gonzalez, the Cuban boy found floating off the coast of Miami, with his father in 2000. The two are supported by Mayra Uribe-Sutton who has recently joined the Nejame team and was previously immigration advisor to Senator Bill Nelson’s office.

The association with the US law firm follows Paragon Law’s first venture in the international market in January 2007 when they opened an office in India where they currently have a team of eight.

Paragon Law is proud to have been asked by Nottingham Law School to consult and advise on the Immigration and Nationality module of the Legal Practice Course.

Judith Ward, principal lecturer & co-course leader of the part time LPC at Nottingham Law School said:-

“ Having Paragon act as consultants to the Immigration and Nationality component of one of our new electives on the LPC has proved to be invaluable, making all the difference to us being able to offer students a dynamic insight into what leading practitioners are doing in practice rather than a dry text book approach.”

To learn more about the relationship between Paragon Law and Nottingham Law School please click here

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Paragon Law are proud to be sponsoring the 6th Biennial Minority Lawyers' Conference on Saturday 28th April 2007 at the Law Society in London.

Managing Director Thalej Vasishta said:-

"Diversity is the key to success, be it for a country, community or organisation. Diversity honours the skills and background of different people coming together which, as an organisation at Paragon Law, has allowed us to be more in tune with our diverse client base."

For further information please find two following links:

Further information one click here

and further information two click here

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